F 

a^4 



:^a3fc 




ROANOKE, ^IRONIA, 

M IN 1691 ^ 



ITS \HnS1fHlH1 OPPORtaKlflES. 

ITS N|JVNUFA(faillHC fVDVAriflVCE$. 

IfS fRlvHSPORfJVflON $ERVl<E. 

Its fRROE FAdLIf IE5. ITS HOKIE AftRACf lOKS. 

With Compliments of 

TERRY & POPE, 

10 JEFFERSON STREET. 



r5:?-^y^J??V^^V^i?«^^v^i5^^^^^f^^^ 



^^^^S 




:,'^ 




Class F2L31 - 

Book Jl^-l-. 

Gopyiight}]" 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Copyrighted in 1891, by Terry & Pope. 

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, 

^^IN 1891. :i^. 



/ts Investment Opportunities. 

lis Manufacturing Advantages. 

Its Transportation Service. 

Its Trade Faciliiies. 

its Home Attractions 



^ 




Compliments ofX ./ngtovI- "^ C_ "^ ^«:-:^->S5 -v. 

^ TERRY & POPE5 ^ V-. 



10 JEFFERSON STREET. 



ROANOKE, VA. 
Hammono's Printing V.'OfiKS, 



Believing that the attention of the Capitalist seeking 
safe investments, or of the 3Ianufacturer seeking those 
conditions that absolutely assure success in his specific 
sphere of action, or of the Merchant under the differing 
conditions of trade seeking to enlarge the area of his per- 
sonal interests therein, or of the Workingman under all 
the conditions of either common labor, or of the various de- 
grees of skill that he may possess, can be most successfully 
attracted to Roanoke, Virginia, by a recital of its various 
advantages for each, founded upon the basis of ascer- 
tained facts, this Manual of Information has been com- 
piled. 

TERRY & POPE, 
Real Estate Agents. 

No. 000 Jefferson Street. 



GeoorapHlGal Location and Ptiyslcal Gonditions. 

Situated in the eastern portion of Scuthwest Virginia, 
where the natural courses of the streams separating the 
Blue Ridge from the Alleghany range of mountains, 
causes the beautiful and fertile valleys of that region to 
begin, RoAJfOKE is practically the gateway to that won- 
derful region that for a long period has contributed its 
wealth of grain, live stock and Umber to the riches of the 
State and of her people, prior to the creation of those 
conditions that have made Iron and Coal twin Kings in 
the realm of commerce. Situated at an elevation of about 
900 feet above the level of the sea, equidistant between 
the cold of Northern winters and the heat of Southern 
suns, the climate possesses those conditions of equality 
and mildness that are most conducive to health and com- 
fort ; and without presenting statistical tables of compar- 
ison, it may be simply stated, as the result of actual 
analysis, that in all respects the climatic conditions of 
spring, summer, autumn and lointer at Roanoke, a,pprox- 
mate closely to those possessed by the resorts of Southern 
Europe that have ahvays been considered most attract- 
ive. 



Thus located, Roanoke possesses all those health con- 
ditions that elevation and mountain atmosphere, as a con- 
sequence, insure; and while its rapid growth has been neces. 
sarily far in excess of the ability of its municipal govern- 
ment to provide in advance perfect drainage conditions, the 
natural drainage is excellent, and is being supplemented 
by all the artificial conditions necessary to attain abso- 
lute perfection. The recent action of its citizens has 
assured without doubt the supply of such financial means 



6 ROANOKE IN 1891. 

and the disbursement thereof under such intelligent and 
honest conditions as Avill disarm all criticism of competi- 
tive communities and allay all fears of its own citizens. 

Known in 1882 as Big Lick, and prior to that an insig- 
nificant station upon the Norfolk and Western Railroad, 
it was given in that year the name of Roanoke, possessing 
at that time a population of 400 ; in 1884 incorporated as 
a city, doubling its population continuously during the 
succeeding years of its existence to date, it is safely 
asserted that in 1891 it possesses a population of 22,000. 

Supplied wdth water from the famous McClanahan 
Spring, at the base of Mill Mountain, upon the southern 
bank of the Roanoke River, which possesses every ele_ 
ment of purity and none of a contrary character ; by 
proper appliances it is carried to the most distant parts 
of the city, and possesses a capacity of more than 6,000,000 
gallons daily. There can, therefore, be no fear that, 
under these perfect conditions of protection which have 
now been established under the control exercised by the 
Roanoke Gas and Water Company, that there w^ll ever 
be an insufficient supply for either manufacturing iDur- 
poses or domestic use. 

MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AND PROVI- 
SIONS FOR FUTURE NEEDS. 

The City Government for the year 1891 is : — Mayor, 
W. G. Evans; Treasurer, C. W. Thomas ; Clerk and Audi- 
tor, Geo. L. Bennett ; Commissioner of Revenue, C. M. 
Turner ; Commonwealth's Attorney, Roy B. Smith ; Clerk 
of Court, S. S. Brooke ; City Solicitor, Thos. W. Miller ; 
City Surveyor, W. M. Dunlap ; Chief of Police, M. C. 
Morris. 

HUSTINGS COURT. 
Judge Hon. William Gordon Robertson ; Clerk, S. S. 
Brooke. Terms commence the first Monday in each 
month except August. 



ROANOKE IN 1891. 7 

CIRCUIT COURT. 
Judge, Hon. Henry E. Blair; Clerk, S. S. Brooke. 
Terms commence April 24th and November 7th. 

POLICE SYSTEM. 
Chief of Police, M. C. Morris. Average number of 
force, 16 men ; average number of officers on day duty, 5, 
average number of officers on night duty, 11 ; number of 
wards in the city, three. 

WATER SUPPLY. 

The water supply for domestic uses as well as for 
manufacturing lourposes, as already stated, is derived 
from the McClanahan Spring, at the base of Mill Moun- 
tain on the Southern bank of the Roanoke River. By 
powerful pumping facilities it is carried through a well- 
arranged system of pipes to all parts of the city, with 
capacity of more than 6,000,000 gallons daily, as needed, by 
two ample force pumps, and proper arrangement of reser- 
voirs for storage purposes, and supply is considered to be 
to be unsurpassed in all respects. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The abstract herewith given of the number and char- 
acter of the various Fire, Hose and Hook and Ladder 
Companies will indicate that this important matter hag 
received that thorough attention that enables fire insur- 
ance, as a factor of expense, to be maintained at minimum 
figures, supplementing which present system a complete 
electric fire alarm is likewise being arranged. 

CoMPANiE'fe. Equipment. 

f One Engine. 

Vigilant . . J One Hook and Ladder Carriage. 

° ■ ' i Two Hose Carriages. 

I Two Horses. 
F.iandship, One Hcse Carriage 

One Hose Carriage. 

Junior Hose, { One Hand TrucU . 

One Horse. 



8 ROANOKE IN 1891. 

The Vigilant, the Friendship and the Junior Hose 
Compa^nies have a total membership of 150. 

Chief Engineer, James G. Knepp ; First Assistant 
Engineer, Owen Duggan ; Second Assistant Engineer, 
J. T. Engleby. 

SYSTEM OF LIGHTING. 

Roanoke is lighted both by gas and by electric lights 
of the arc and incandesceut plans. In addition to the 
ordinary street lighting, there is provided for the use of 
the railways a perfect system of electric lighting fully 
covering their yards, shops and tracks within the city 
limits, as well as a considerable distance beyond. 

STREET CAR SERVICE. 

Roanoke has fourteen miles of street railways now 
operated, botl^ by horses and by steam, and arrangements 
have been positively consummated for the perfection of 
electric service, not only upon lines now operated by 
horses, but likewise upon new lines that are under con- 
struction. It is likewise connected w^tli Salem, seven 
miles distant, by steam dummy line ; also Avith Vinton, 
two miles and a half distant to the east, by a similar line. 
Thus such quick and frequent communication with 
its important neighbors practically welds the points of 
Roanoke, Vinton and Salem into one large community. 

CHURCHES. 

All denominations are well represented, as evidenced 
by the toUowing list, showing the various denominations 
represented, the value of their church property, and the 
membership thereof : 

Value. Membership. 

M. E. South, Greene Memorial.. ;g;o,oco i,coo 

Methodist Episcopal 3,000 70 

Presbyterian 35.oco 600 

Christian 7,000 100 

First Baptis*: rebuilding 400 

Lutheran St. Mark's rebuilding 275 



ROANOKE IN 1891. 9 

Value. Membership. 

Lutheran Chapel 2,000 125 

Episcopal, St. John's 30,000 350 

Catholic, St. Andrew's 150,000 1,000 

Presbyterian Chapel 2,500 250 

A. M. E. South 10,000 

A. M. E 1 0,000 100 

A. High Street Baptist 15.000 253 

African First Baptist S.ooo 400 

SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

The school advantages of Roanoke under the common 
school system of the State, are exceedingly fine ; this mat- 
ter having received the constant attention of her munic- 
ipal government as Avell as her representatives in the 
General xlssembly. 

In addition to this, the question of private schools has 
received constant attention at the hands of its citizens. 
The Alleghany Institute for males, situated in the North- 
ern section of the city is an attractive brick building, con- 
taining eighty-five rooms, and ranks most favorably Avith 
other educational institutions in Southwest Virginia. 
And the question of other incorporated institutions for 
males and females is likewise receiving that attention as 
will without doubt, in addition to the excellent private 
schools that are maintained, create other institutions of 
equal degrees of satisfaction. 

In the matter of benevolent, charitable and religious 
associations, Roanoke is fully abreast of all other commu- 
nities of similar size, and the number and character of 
these institutions is indicated by the attached list ; and in 
addition thereto it can be stated with much pleasure that 
the arrangements made for the construction of the Roa- 
noke Hospital have now been perfected ; that the con- 
struction of this building during the year 1891 is posi- 
tively assured, and that the buildings, accommodations 
and appliances will be of such character as to make it in 
all respects a representative institution, equal to all other 
similar institutions of its size in the country, possessing 



10 ROANOKE IN 1881. 

ample facilities for paying patients as well as those the 
recipients of charity, and the building with its surround- 
ing grounds will be in all respects a source of pride to its 
own people and a constant attraction to all visitors. 

SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS AMD CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION. 

Roanoke German Club. 
West End Social Club. 
Shakspearean Literary Society. 
Ladies' Union Benevolent Society. 
King's Daughters. 
Missionary Volunteer Society. 
Ladies' Auxilliary, Y. M. C. A. 
Society Christian Endeavor. 

SECRET SOCIETIES, LODGES AND ORDERS. 

MASONIC. 
Lakeland Lodge, A. F. & A. M. 
Pleasants Lodge, A. F. & A. M. 
Bayard Commandery, Knights Templar. 
Murray Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. 
Masonic Temple Associa^tion. 

ODD FELLOWS. 
Mountain Dale Lodge. 
Mount Vernon Lodge. 
Magic City Encampment. 

The following orders have one lodge each : 
Junior Order United American Mechanics. 
Knights of Pythias. 
Knights of the C-J-olden Eagle. 
Improved Order of Red Men. 
Knights of Honor. 
Knights of the Mystic Chain. 
Order of Chosen Friends. 
Order of llailway Telegrapherp. 
Order of Railway Conductors. 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Enaineers. 



ROANOKE IN 1S91. 11 

TAXATION. 

Rate on $ico, State tax, 4 mills, $ 40 

Rate on $100, City tax i 10 

Rate on ^100, School tax 15 

Rate on $100, total, $1 65 

The taxation is as low, if not lower, than in any other 
city in the United States. 

FINANCIAL CONDITION. 

Assessed value of Real Estate ;^6, 750,884 00 

Assessed value of Personal Estates 1,715,642 00 

Total assessment $8,466,526 00 

Bonded debt $ 156,00000 

Total debt 185,785 00 

Annual gross receipts from direct taxation 139,697 68; 

Annual receipts from licenses 24,66 1 32-. 

Annual receipts from other sources 7,58600- 

ncrease in value of real estate in five years 5,269,251 co. 

The bonded debt by law^ cannot exceed 15 per cent of 

axable property of the city. The bonds mature thirty 

years from their date, with interest at G per cent. 

POSTOFFiCE. 

Increase of Receipts : 

Postal receipts from December i, 18S5, to June 30, 1SS6 $ 5,171 18 

Postal Receipts from July i, 1886, to June 50, 1SS7 9,636 41 

Postal Receipts from July i, 1SS7, to June 30, 1888 12,933 93 

Increase from 1SS7 to iSSS 3, C97 52 

Postal receipts from July i, 1888, to June 30, 1S89 17,448 86 

Increase from 18S8 to 1889 4.714 93 

Postal receipts from July i, 1889, to June 30, 1S90 24,090 41 

Increase from 18S9 to 1S90 6,641 55 

Postal receipts from July x, 1S90, to December 31, 1890 (six months) 17,495 84 
In this ratio the receipts of the fiscal year ending June 30, '91, will be 34,991 68 

Increase (probable) from 1890 to 1891 10,901 27 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

The city of Roanoke is well supplied w^ith markets, 
and with a well-built and attractive Court House, and pro- 
vision w^as made by an act passed at the last session of 



12 ROANOKE IN 1891. 

Congress for a thoroughly commodious and attractive 
United States government building. The cost of this 
building complete will perhaps be $75,000.00, and no 
unnecessary delay will attach to its construction and pre- 
paration for prompt use. 

HOTELS. 
The complete abstract of the character, capacity and 
value of the hotels of Roanoke tells its own story, and 
there is constant evidence that as the hotel accommoda- 
tion of the city requires enlargement, its citizens v\^ho are 
able to make investments therein respond promptly to 
such additional construction as the needs of the city 
requii'e. 

Name. Cost. Accommodations for 

Hotel Roanoke ^155.000 300 Guests. 

Hotel Felix 25,000 200 " 

Hotel Ponce de Leon 245,000 300 '' 

Hotel Continental 30,000 200 " 

Palace Hotel 100 " 

Marshall House 150 •' 

Rorer Park Hotel ' ' 

Wilson House " 

Read " 

BANKS. 

ABSTRACT OF BUSINESS FOR 1890. 
FIRST ^'ATIONAL. 

Capital Stock §100,000 00 

Volume of Business 1,092.949 S3 

Increase over previous year 347.593 25 

Leans and discounts 674,770 81 

Increase over previous year 160,444 83 

Deposits 785-522 19 

Increase over previous year 515,056 81 

iSTATIONAL EXCHANGE. 

Capital Stock 8100,000 00 

Volume of business 356,071 01 

Increase over 18S9 65,293 87 

Loans and discounts 232,021 25 

Increase over 1889 41,076 15 

Deposits 217,013 82 

Increase over 1889 55,556 39 



ROANOKE IN 1891. 13 

COMMERCIAL NATIONAL. 

Capital Stock 8100,000 00 

Volume of business 441,304 71 

Increase over 1889 195,484 71 

Loans and discounts 316,461 co 

Increase over 1SS9 131,971 15 

Deposits 260,000 00 

Increase over 18S9 160, coo co 

CITIZENS BANK. 

Capital Stock $10,000 00 

Volume of business 150 c8i 10 

Increase over 1SS9 58,046 54 

Loans and discounts 113,589 00 

Increase over 1889 35.609 45 

Deposits 75,oco co 

Increase over 18S9 46,000 00 

LQAf^, AND TRUST COIvlP.ANfES 

Roanoke Trust, Loan and Safe Deposit Company ;$-'5o,ooo 

Traders' Loan, Trust and Deposit Company 50,000 

Fidelity Loan and Trust Company . . . : 200.000 

State Savings Bank 100,000 

WORKJNG CAPITAL. 

It may be safely Ptsserted that the amount of working 
capital invested in Roanoke, is not less than twenty mil- 
lion dollars. 

BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS. 

Iron Belt Building Association, authorized capital stock |!25, 000,000 

Exchange Building Association 100,000 

Roanoke Building Association and Investment Company 400,000 

Roanoke Building Company 20,000 

Home Building and Conveyance Company ioo,ooQ 

Old Dominion Building Association, authorized capital 20,000 000 

Home Loan and Building Association 300,000 

Merchants' and Mechanics' Building Association 150,000 

The Perpetual Building Association 250,000 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Referring t) the geographical position, as already 
described, that Roanoke occupies, the advantages of that 
position in the light of the information herein given, can- 
not be overestimated. 



14 ECAKCKE IN 16G3. 

Situated upon the Norfolk and Western Railroad, at 
the junction thereof with the Maryland and Washington 
Division of that road (formerly the Shenandoah Valley), 
it is 151 miles from the Tennessee border on the west, 116 
miles from the West Virginia line on the northwest, 219 
miles from Washington on the Northeast, 94 miles from, 
the North Carolina State line on the southeast, (with 
which state it will be very shortly connected by the com- 
pletion of the Roanoke and Sotithern Railway), 257 miles 
from tidewater at the port of Norfolk, 222 miles from the 
Kentucky line by the Norfolk and Western and Louis- 
ville and Nashville Railroads, and 317 miles from the Ohio 
River by the Norfolk & Western Railroad's New River 
Division and Ohio Extension ; it enjoj^s through said 
Norfolk & Western system, absolutely perfect railway 
connections with all sections of the Union, and with the 
completion of the lines in process of construction under 
the auspices of the Norfolk & Western Railroad, as w^ell 
as of the Roanoke and Southern, it will be afforded that 
direct communication with all sections of the country — 
north, south, east, and vv-est, that will immeasurably en- 
large its trade area. 

It occupies at the present time as equally fayored 
position as do either of the other large Virginia cities, in 
the matter of rates of transportation on equal terms from 
all sections of the West, Northwest and Southwest, So 
likewise, in so far as its trafSc relations with the Northern 
and Eastern markets are concerned, the rates of transpor- 
tation that it enjoys approximate closely to those of the 
other Virginia cities that are nearest to it. 

It is not to be presumed that under any conditions 
that may arise in the future, its position in any of these 
matters will be less favorable than they now are ; but, on 
the contrary, that with the growth of its population and 
traffic, and consequently increased importance as a man- 
ufacturing and commercial center, that its position of 
equality with all other markets of the country similarly 



ROANOKE IN 139]. 15 

situated will be maintained. The distance table that is 
hereto appended illustrates very fully the advatitages 
that it enjoys by reason of its excellent central position. 

It will always be a highway as between the great 
trade centers of the Northwest and West, with the great 
seaport of Norfolk, and through Norfolk with all the North 
Atlantic ports and all Transatlantic ports and markets. 

Likewise in a reverse direction it must forever be upon 
the great highway of trade and travel as betv/een the 
great cities of the North and Northeast and all points of 
the South and Southwest ; and with the perfection of the 
additional communications now in progress of construc- 
tion, as described, it Avill be similarly situated upon a line 
of direct communication as between the cities of the 
Q-reat Lakes and all Southern and Southeastern territory. 
There can therefore be no conceivable conditions of inter- 
change of trade between the various products of all of the 
different sections of the country that will not permit Roa- 
noke to enjoy opportunities of participating in such inter- 
change upon perfectly favorable conditions. The trade 
relationship that these advantages will create and cause to 
be necessarily enlarged with the various sections of South- 
west Virginia, Northwestern North Carolina and South- 
east Virginia, as well as all sections of 'W est Virginia, 
Kentucky and Ohio, penetrated by the lines of the Nor- 
folk and Western Railroad cannot be over estimated. 

INCORPORATED AND CO-OPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS 

For the Improvement of Real Estate and the Establishment an^ 

Aid of Manufacturing Enterprises. 

Virginia Dave'opment Company $3,000,000 

Jeannette Land Company 135,000 

West Roanoke Land Company 100,000 

North Side La!*J Company 30,000 

Hyde Park Land Company So, coo 

Melrose Land Company 75, 000 

Belmont Land Company, a'uthori;^ed capital stock 90,000 

Oak Ridge Land Company 50,000 

River View Land Company 75iCoo 



16 ROANOKE IN 1891. 

Roanoke Land and Improvement Company 400, oco 

Crystal Springs Land Company 400,000 

West End Land Company 5o,oco 

Creston Land Company 75, oco 

Central Park Land Company 40,000 

Ingleside Land Company 20,000 

The Virginia Land Company 250,000 

Midway Land Company 30,000 

Inter-Urban Land Company 500,000 

Mountain View Land Company 35>cOo 

Elmwood Land Company 100, oco 

Magic City Land Company 35)000 

Bennet Springs Land Company, authorized capital stock 25,000 

Craig Land Company, authorized capital stock 100,000 

Central Investment Company, authorized capital stock 20,000 

Creston Land Company, authorized capital stocA i,ooo,oco 

Clyde Land Company, authorized capital stock 10,000 

Euieka Land Company, authorized capital stock 500,000 

Fairviev/ Land Company, authorized capital stock 50,000 

Glade Land Company, authorized capital stock 50,000 

Glen Falls Land Company, authorized capital stock 35, 000 

Linwood Land Company, authorized capital stock 60, ceo 

The Guarantee Title and Investment Company 200, ceo 

Piedmont Land and Manufacturing Company 500, ceo 

Roanoke Development Company i ico,oco 

With fully $3,000,000 pledged for improvements. 

P^IANUFACTURING INTERESTS 

In Existence, Under Construction, and Positively Assured 

in the Immediate Future. 

Capital- 

Roanoke Machine "Works $s ccc.ooo 

Roanoke Iron Company (200-toii furnace, muck b:ir mill and plate 

mill) 500,000 

Crozier Steel and Iron Companj' 500,000 

Roanoke Gas and Water Company 250,000 

Roanoke Spike Factory 50,000 

Roanoke Brick Works 15,000 

Other Brick Yards 20,000 

Gambill Flouring Mill Company 50,000 

Roanoke Brewery 75iOao 

American Bridge Works 200,000 

Roanoke Rolling Mills 93000 

Diamond Ice Company 55,Qoo 

West End Brick and Tile Works 20,000 



ROANOKE IN 1891. 17 



Rife's Hydraulic Engine WorUs 

Roanoke Ice Company 

Roanoke Milling Company 

Roanoke Canning and Preserving Company 

Mattress Factory 

Bridgewater Carriage Company of Roanoke 

Roanoke Eleciric Light Company , 

P. L. Terry Milling Company 

Adams Bros. & Payne Brick Company 

Roanoke Manufacturing Company 

Two Tobacco Factories 

Four Planing Mills 

Two Cigar Factories 

Paper Bag Factory 

Sash, Blind and Door Factory 

The Bell Printing & Manufacturimg Co., (value of plant). 

Hammond Printing Works 

Elevator 

Fishhurne Bros. Flouring Mill 

Roanoke Black Marble Company 



It may be asked, what reasons have induced the 
establishment of these manufactories, upon what basis is 
it possible for them to be maintained, and what argu.. 
ments of sufficient strength have been offered to those 
establishments that contemplate location at Roanoke to 
merit their acceptance of it as their location. So far, this 
abstract of Roanoke's advantages has touched purely 
upon its commercial conditions in the ordinary channels 
of commerce. In addition to the advantages that she 
eijjoys in this respect, there accrues to her the greater 
privilege, beyond a large majority of other cities of the- 
United States, of being located practically within the 
centre of that series of uncounted riches of timber, coal,, 
minerals, stone, and all other forms of Avealth hidden 
beneath the soil of Southwest Virginia, which affords 
those unlimited supplies of crude material that for all 
ages to come will supply the necessary conditions for 
proper manufacture of everything of wood or iron that 
pertains to the uses of mankind and the interest of com- 
merce. The list of industries recited as in existence and 



18 ROi^KCKE IN 18G1. 

under process of construction and in positive contempla- 
tion bear evidence to the value of these resources, and 
likewise to the facilities for the sale and shipment of the 
manufactured product that the transportation service 
which Roanoke enjoys gives evidence of. 

THE POSITIVE ATTRACTIONS FOR WORKINGMEN 

of ail Conditions, from the Day Laborer to the Artisan of 

Highest Skill. 

Amid these many favored conditions of nature's 
prodigal supplies, and the evidence of the faith of capital 
in its future, as attested by the many industrial estab- 
lishments rearing their tall chimneys skyward, it must 
not be forgotten that the workingman in all the phases 
of capacity, from humblest labor to that of highest skill 
exists among the greatest factors of Roanoke's prosperity 
and fame. Therefore, due regard has been had to his 
comfort, and special effort is constantly being made to 
attract him hither, by offering to his attention well 
located lots of suitable size that can be bought at low 
rates and upon easy terms, and if he requires aid in the 
building of a home thereon for himself and family, the 
many building and loan associations that exist as herein 
recited, stand ready to aid in accomplishing these pur- 
poses. Hence it is that Roanoke has become known as a 
City of Homes, owned by their occupants rather than by 
investors and thus the constant evidence of improvement 
in the character of the homes that abound everywhere,, 
attests the pride that each occupant feels therein, 
because the evidence to the stranger's eye is, that to the 
occupant thereof, each structure, though humble it may 
be, is still a home. 

GENERAL SUMMARY. 

Summarizing, therefore, the statements a,lready made, 
there is seen the result of that union of intelligent capital, 
persistent labor and inexhaustible material native to the 
land and citv, which within a few short years has 



ROANOKE IN 1891. 19' 

caused it to rise from absolutely nothing to its 
present position. Many pages of descriptive matter 
could be prepared, reciting in detail the result of 
this trio of unconquerable forces, but the object of 
this book being simply to invite personal inspection 
rather than to provide a romantic tale for perusal by 
the distant fireside, its authors invite most cordially all 
to come and see for themselves, making briefly herein 
certain statements that, attested by actual experience, 
are unhesitatingly asserted as facts rather than imagina- 
tive theories. For instance, Roanoke possesses the confi- 
dence of its own people ; criticism one of the other, and 
that antagonism and disintegration of interests that 
always follow, finds no part therein. It is notorious— 

That investors have never lost money in real estate 
ventures. 

That her population has so far doubled itself yearly. 
That her disbursement for the laboring classes is 
greater than that of any other city in Southwest Vir- 
ginia. 

That her manufacturing establishments and machine 
shops are among the finest in the country. 

That investments in her industries run into many 
millions. 

That incapable or bankrupt industrial concerns aie 
not indorsed or fostered by her improvement compa ^ 
nies. 

That the supplies of her raw material of all classes 
are immediately a.t her doors and capable of indefinite 
expansion. 

That her retail trade, as a consequence of her con- 
stantly increasing population of consumers is large, 
and 

That with the strength given to her mercantile 
establishments by this constant increase in retail traffic, 
her Avholesale trade is rapidly increasing within the area 
of Virginia and adjacent States that are readily reached. 



20 . ROANOKE IN 1891. 

That her rates of State and municipal taxation are 
in no respect onerous. 

That the credit of the city is unblemished, and 
That in addition to the climatic conditions already 
recited as incident to her location, all the details 
first of comfort, and afterwards of luxury, are 
receiving that attention that makes her homestead very 
desirable to all classes of people. She offers the finest 
field for diversified industries of any city in the South. 
She needs at this time dairy farms, truck farms, raanufac. 
taring establishments of all implements of household 
and domestic use. She needs small and comfortable 
houses, and there are not only excellent incomes but for- 
tunes to those that will invest in houses of moderate cost 
for all working and laboring classes. The larger indus- 
tries that have been attracted to her borders will care for 
themselves. She now offers particularly to those of mod- 
erate means equally as advantageous returns upon indus- 
tries involving smaller outlays of capital. She has 
reached that degree of prominence, both in population, 
developed industrial resources, transportation facilities, 
financial credit, and supply, as prevents the liability of 
unfavorable results to any manufacturing interest of 
whatever character they may choose to locate within her 
borders, and there can be no doubt that no one seeking 
either support by their own daily labor or seeking profits 
upon their investments can fail in the one case to com- 
fortably live and in the other case realize most satisfac- 
tory results. The authors of this manual will therefore 
take pleasure in corresponding freely v>Mth all classes of 
people seeking homes or investments in Roanoke, and 
exert themselves to the accomplish mant of satisfactory 
results. 



ROANOKE IN 1891. 



21 



TABLE OF DISTANCES. 



Miles. 

Atlanta Ga. 493 

Atchison Kans. 1098 

Augusta Ga. 664 

Baltimore Md. 266 

Boston Mass. 690 

Bristol Tenn. 151 

Birmingham A!a. 536 

Charlotte N. C. 352 

Charleston S. C. 573 

Chatanooga Tenn. 393 

Chicago III. 763 

Cleveland O. 573 

Columbus O. 435 

Cincinnati O. 456 

Danville Va. 120 

Detroit Mich. 624 

Denver Col. 1690 

Evansville Ind. 672 

Hagerstown Md. 239 

Harrisburg Pa. 313 

Indianapolis Ind. 659 

Jacksonville Flu. 957 

Kansas City Mo. 1051 

Leavenworth Kans. 1073 



Miles. 

Louisville Ky. 500 

Lynchburg Va. 53 

Macon Ga. 594 

Memphis Tenn. 703 

Milwaukee Wis. 848 

Minneapolis Minn. 1163 

Mobile Ala. 792 

Montgomery Ala. 6:9 

New York N. Y. 456 

New Orleans La. 1158 

Norfolk ....Va. 240 

Philadelphia Pa. 365 

Pittsburg Pa. 456 

Peoria Ill 947 

Petersburg Va. 175 

Richmond Va. 198 

Reading Pa 367 

Staunton Va. icS 

Savannah Ga 7S6 

St. Louis Mo. 768 

St. Josej)h Mo 1099 

St. Paul Min, 1173 

Toledo O. 559 

Wilmington Del. 337 




MEMORANDUM. 



MEMORANDUM. 



MEMORANDUM. 



3- tr- 



J. COLES TERRY. PAUL W. POPE- 

For Further Information Address or Call on 

«Reai * Estate ♦ BroKers.»- 

IWo. lO cJeffersoi7 St., 

ROANOKE, - ■ VIRGINIA. 



Buij and Sell all Kinds of Real Estate. 



REFERENCES BY PERMISSION ; 



Jos. A. Gale, M. D. 


H. S. Trout, 


P. L. Terry, 


Prest. 1st Nat. B'k, 


Capitalist. 


J. W. Coon, 


S. W. Jamison, 


Prest. Com. Nat. Bk, 


Banker. 


A. Pope, 




X G. F. A., N.&W.Ry. 

\ 


K 


\ 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 415 471 R p 



m^ 



»' 

{ 




r 



«^"-f < 



H 







